Self-inflating cushion



Jan. 23, 1962 D. ROSENBERG ETAL 3,

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION I5 Sheetse-Sheet 1 Flled Nov 27, 1959 1962 D.ROSENBERG ETAL 3,017,642

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, 1959 IN VEN TORSDH V/D ROSf/VBf/QG BY LOU/5 M/E/M/DU Jan. 23, 1962 D. ROSENBERG ETAL3,017,642

SELF-INFLATING CUSHION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 2 7, 1959 INVENTORSlV/D 9051-7115526 [00/8 M/P/I/VDO III/ll.

Ill/I United Statm Patent 3,017,642 SELF-EJFLATING CUSHIGN DavidRosenberg, Bronx, and Louis Mirando, New York, N.Y., assignors to TheHoliday Line, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov.27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,772 14 Claims. (Cl. -349) This invention relatesgenerally to inflatable cushions and more particularly to aself-inflating cushion which is watertight and which may be adjusted tothe individual users comfort and then, after pressure is removed,returns automatically to its original shape under normal atmosphericpressure.

The recent increase in the construction of private homes has created amarked increase in the demand for outdoor lawn and patio furniture. Thistype of furniture includes chairs, gliders, chaise lounges, couches,etc. The majority of this type of furniture includes a metal or woodenframe and removable pillows or mattresses. These pillows and mattressesgenerally consist of a filler covered with fabric, leather or plastic.The seams on these pillows and mattresses are generally stitchedtogether which permits moisture and rain to seep through the stitchesand results in rotting and deterioration of the filler material. Inaddition, these pillows and mattresses all contain the same amount offiller material and cannot be adjusted to the individual users comfort.

In our Patent No. 2,803,023 which was reissued on March 10, 1959, asPatent No. Re. 24,618, we have described an inflatable cushion which iswatertight and which may be adjusted to the individual users comfort.This cushion is filled with a resilient cellular material and an airvalve is provided which controls the flow of air into and out of thecushion. When the valve is opened and the cellular filler material iscompressed, such as by the weight of a person, air is driven from thecushion. The valve is closed when the contour of the cushion has beenadjusted to the individual users comfort. When pressure is removed fromthe cushion the valve is opened and air is drawn into the interior ofthe cushion as the cellular filler material expands until the cushionassumes substantially its original shape.

It has been found that where the filler material for cushions consistsof a solid block of cellular material the cushions may be used numeroustimes without adversely affecting the appearance of the cushions or thecellular filler material. If the filler material consists of shreddedcellular material, however, it has been found that the filler materialhas a tendency to shift from an even distribution and becomeconcentrated about the periphery of the cushion. When this happens andpressure is ap plied to the cushion, such as by the users weight, theexcess of filler material about the periphery tends to burst the sidewalls. This is particularly true where the cushion is an elongatedstructure such as for mattresses for chaise lounges and couches.

' Briefly stated, the self-inflating cushion of the present inventionincludes two compartments, an outer compartment and an inner compartmentwhich is effectively free to float within the outer compartment. Theouter compartment includes top, bottom and side plastic panels, theseams of which are electronically welded together to render the outercompartment watertight. The inner compartment is constituted by thinsheets of plastic and includes top, bottom and side panels, the bottompanel being the same panel as the bottom panel of the outer compartment.The top panel of the inner compartment is electronically welded to oneedge of the side panel of the inner compartment and the other edge ofthis side panel is electronically welded to the bottom panel and to icethe side panel of the outer compartment. In this manner the innercompartment is partially free to float within the outer compartment. Theinner compartment is subdivided into chambers by means of gussets whichare electronically welded to the top and bottom panels of the innercompartment. The chambers within the inner compartment are filled withcellular material and one or more air valves are secured to the sidepanel of the outer compartment but in communication with the innercompartment. The gussets are provided with spaced openings in order tofacilitate the free flow of air between the chambers and to and from thevalve. If the cellular filler material is shredded, the individualchambers retain the original distribution of the filler arid simulates asolid block of filler material. In addition, since the inner compartmentis effectively. free to float within the outer compartment, the cushionretains its original appearance and, regardless of the pressure applied,the outer compartment will not burst.

The principal object of thepresent invention therefore is to provide aself-inflating cushion which is watertight, which may be automaticallyadjusted to the individual users comfort and which retains its originalappearance after being inflated and deflated numerous times.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-inflatingcushion which is filled with shredded cellular filler material and whichretains the original distribution of the filler material after numeroususes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a self-inflatingcushion which may be made in any desired shape or size while stillretaining the advantages enumerated above.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aself-inflating cushion which is provided interiorly with a number offloating gussets which effectively divide the interior of the cushioninto numerous chambers in order to maintain the original distribution ofthe shredded cellular filler material.

These and further objects of the present invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of the invention to be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like components inthe several views are identified by the same reference numeral.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the self-inflating cushion of thepresent invention, the interior construction being shown in brokenlines.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1. 1

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3--3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the gussets used to divide theinterior of the cushion of the present invention into chambers.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the self-inflating cushion of the presentinvention illustrating the manner in which the gussets are assembled, aportion of the view being broken away to illustrate structural details.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 andillustrating the manner in which the gussets are attached to theself-inflating cushion of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrating theself-inflating cushion of the present invention after the gussets havebeen secured in position and the cushion has been expanded to its normalshape.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an elongated selfinflating cushionadapted to be utilized as a mattress for a chaise lounge, crib, bed,etc., a portion of the cushion being broken away to illustratestructural details.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-section taken on the line 9--9 of FIGURE 8, and

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation in cross-section of one type of inflatingvalve used with the self-inflating cushion of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures, and particularly to FIG- URE l, theself-inflating cushion of the present invention is identified in generalby the numeral 10. The cushion 10 includes a top part or panel 11, abottom part or panel 12 and a substantially continuous side wall 13. Theside wall 13 is preferably composed of a single strip with its free endselectronically welded together to provide a continuous member. Ifdesired, the side wall 13 may be eliminated and the perimeter of the toppanel 11 attached directly to the bottom panel 12. In the latter event,the resultant structure is referred to as a knife edge constructionrather than the block construction illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The top panel 11, bottom panel 12 and side wall 13 are cut from materialwhich is impervious to liquids, such for example as sheet plastic. Thepanels 11, 12 and 13 may have any thickness desired depending on thestructure desired of the finished product. If desired, several sheets ofplastic may be laminated together to form the desired thickness. Anydesired design may be embossed or printed on the panels 11, 12 and 13 inorder to obtain the desired ornamental effect. In addition, if desired,fabric can be laminated to the outer surface of the panels 11, 12 and 13to enhance the appearance of the cushion.

The assembly consisting of the top panel 11, the bottom panel 12 and theside wall 13 will hereafter be referred to as the outer compartment 14.If it is desired to utilize a solid block of cellular material as thefiller for the self-inflating cushion of the present invention, thesolid block of filler material would be inserted within this outercompartment 14. The top panel 11 would then be welded along the seam 15to the side wall 13. In a similar manner the bottom panel 12 would bewelded along a seam 16 to the side wall 13. These seams provide acompletely watertight outer envelope compartment 14. Prior to the finalseaming operation, the solid block of cellular filler material would beplaced within this outer envelope compartment 14.

In order to render the cushion of the present invention self-inflatingone or more valves 17 are secured at spaced intervals to the side wall13 so that the valve 17 is in communication with the interior of thecushion 10. Any commercially available valve may be used for thispurpose and one such valve is shown in detail in FIGURE 10. The valvebody is surrounded by a plastic sleeve 18. A backing sheet of plastic 19underlies the valve 17 and retains a wire screen 20. The valve 17 isopened and closed by unscrewing the knurled piece 21. The valve 17 isopened to vent out some of the air from the outer compartment 14 due tocompression of the cellular filler material and closed when the cushion10 has been adjusted to the users comfort. When pressure has beenremoved, the valve is again opened to admit air to the compartment 14until the cellular filler material has expanded to its original shape.The valve 17 is then closed.

When it is desired to fill the cushion of the present invention withshredded cellular material rather than with a solid block of celluarmaterial, means must be provided to retain the original distribution offiller material after the cushion has been used many times. This isaccomplished by providing an inner compartment designated in general bythe numeral 22. The inner compartment 22 includes a sheet 23, an innerwall 24, and a plurality of gussets 25. The sheet 23, inner wall 24 andgussets 25 are cut from any suitable thin plastic which is impervious toliquids.

In assembling the self-inflating cushion of the present invention whenit is desired to utilize shredded cellular material as the filler, aplurality of gussets 25 are placed at spaced intervals on the bottompanel 12 of the outer compartment 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Theplastic sheet 23 is then placed over the gussets 25 and the bottom panel12 with the perimeter of the sheet 23 approximately coinciding with theperimeter of the bottom panel 12. The assembly consisting of the bottompanel 12, sheet 23 and gussets 25 are then electronically weldedtogether along the seams 26 by placing the parts to be joined togetherin a high frequency electric field existing between the electrodes 27and 28. It can be seen from FIGURES 5 and 6 that the sheet 23 and bottompanel 12 are not welded together, but rather are each welded to thegussets 25.

The gussets 25, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 6, consist of two sheetsof thin plastic material 29 and 30 electronically welded together alongthe seams 31 to form pockets 32 therebetween. In order to prevent thetwo sections 29 and 30 of each gusset 25 from becoming secured togetherduring the welding operation a piece of dielectric material 33 such aswax paper is placed within the pockets 32 prior to the weldingoperation. The dielectric material 33 may if desired, be removed fromthe pockets 32 in the gussets 25 after the welding operation. Thepurpose for the pockets 32 will be presently described.

When the gussets 25 have been welded to the bottom wall 12 and the sheet23 the inner compartment 22 is completed by electronically welding theedges of the sheet 23 to the inner wall 24 along a seam 34, and byelectronically welding the bottom panel 12, the side wall 13 of theouter compartment 14 and the inner wall 24 of the inner compartment 22along the seam 16. The outer compartment 14 is then completed byelectronically welding the top panel 11 to the side wall 13 along theseam 15. It is to be noted that the bottom panel 12 forms part of theinner compartment 22 as well as part of the outer compartment 14, whilethe top panel 11 forms part of the outer compartment 14 but is not partof the inner compartment 22. In this manner, the inner compartment 22effectively is free to float within the outer compartment 14in a mannerto be presently described.

The assembly of the cushion 10 of the present invention is completedwhen the top panel 11 is electronically welded to the side wall 13 alongthe seam 15. Prior to this final seaming operation the filler material35 is placed in the inner compartment 22 in the chambers 36 providedbetween the gussets 25. The filler material 35 may be any type ofshredded cellular material, such for example as kapok, cotton, tufilex,fiberglass, vinyl foam, urethane foam, polyester foam, rubberized hair,etc. The only requirement for the filler material 35 is that it becellular. If desired, a flap 37 may be provided to enclose the ends ofthe chambers 36 containing the filler material 35 in order to preventthe filler material 35 from escaping from these chambers 36 into theouter compartment 14. The flap 37 may conveniently be an extension ofthe inner wall 24 of the inner compartment 22. During the weld ingoperation wherein the sheet 23 is welded to the inner wall 24 along theseam 34 only three sides are welded, the other side adjacent the flap 37remaining unsealed to permit insertion of the filler 35 in the chambers36.

In order to render the cushion of the present invention self-inflating,one or more valves 17 are mounted on the side Wall 13 in communicationwith the inner compartment 22. For this purpose an opening 38 isprovided in the inner Wall 2 to receive the valve 17 so that the valve17 is in communication with the inner compartment '22. If the cushion 10of the present invention is provided with only one valve 17, means mustalso be provided to allow for the flow of air between the variouschambers 36. For this reason the gussets '25 are provided with aplurality of vents or openings 39 to enable the free flow of air fromthe various chambers 36 to the air valves 17 and from the valves 17 tothe chambers 36. These vents 39 must be provided unless there is a valve17 in communication with each chamber 36.

The gussets 25 are provided with pockets 32 both for ease of assemblyand to enable the inner compartment 22 to float within the outercompartment 14. When the chambers 36 between the gussets 25 are filledwith cellular filler material the pockets 32 within the gussets 25permit the inner compartment 22 to expand without exerting any stress onthe gussets 25 or the other members constituting the inner 22 and outerl4 compartments. The gussets 25 effectively prevent the shredded fillermaterial 35 from dispersing and retains the filler material 35 in itsoriginal distributed fashion. In addition, due to the floating nature ofthe inner compartment 22 the cushion 10 of the present invention retainsits outward attractive appearance and shape without any bulging, etc. Inthis fashion the cushion 1% functions as if it were filled with a blockof cellular filler material with the added advantages of cheaperconstruction and greater resiliency.

As stated above the self-inflating cushion 10 of the present inventionis also adapted to be used as a mattress for chaise lounges, cribs,beds, etc. With an elongated structure of this type it has been founddesirable when using a shredded cellular filler material 35 to utilizethe structure illustrated in FIGURE 8.

The structure illustrated in FIGURE 8 is similar to the structureillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3 in that inner 22 and outer 14compartments are provided. In an elongated structure such as a mattress,however, there is a greater tendency for the filler 35 to move from anarea of maximum pressure to an area of smaller pressure. In addition, ina structure such as a mattress, it is desirable to provide means toindividually adjust portions of the mattress to the contours of thebody. For example, it may be desirable to deflate the portion of themattress beneath the buttock portion of the user more than the portionof the mattress beneath the feet portion of the user, or vice versa.

For this reason when the self-inflating cushion 10 of the presentinvention is constructed in an elongated form for use as a mattress theinner chamber is effectively divided into two sections 4-0 and 41 alongthe longer length by means of a divider gusset 42. The divider gusset iswelded to the sheet 23 of the inner compartment 22 and to the bottompanel 12 along the entire length of the mattress. In addition gussets43, which are similar to the gussets 25 divide each section 40 and 41transversely into a plurality of chambers 44.

The gussets 43 are welded to the sheet 23, the bottom panel 12 and tothe inner wall 24. The gussets 43, however, are not welded to thedivider gusset 42. The gussets 42 and 43, as with the gussets 25, areprovided with spaced vents or opening 45 in order to permit free flow ofair between the chambers 44. A plurality of air valves 17 are secured tothe side wall 13 at spaced intervals in order to permit selectiveinflation and deflation of the mattress at selected positions. The airvalves 17 as be fore are in communication with the inner compartmentWhat has been described is a self-inflating cushion which is watertightand may be adjusted to the individual users comfort by regulating theexpulsion and admission of air to the cellular filler material. Thecellular filler material may be shredded cellular material which in thepresent structure simulates a solid block cellular filler but is lessexpensive and renders the cushion more resilient. In addition thestructure of the present invention may be utilized as a mattress andselective control of the inflation and deflation of various sections ofthe mattress can be accomplished by providing a plurality of spacedvalves and a compartmentalized structure.

It is to be understood that what has been described is a preferredembodiment of the invention but that changes and modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention exceptas limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and aside wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelopeformed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsiblecompartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber andincluding a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, cellular fillermaterial disposed in said compartment in a quantity filling said innerenvelope to provide a compressible cushion, and valve means attached tosaid outer envelope in communication with said compartment and operableto permit air to be drawn from said compartment when said fillermaterial is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into saidcompartment as said filler expands after pressure has been releasedtherefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

2. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and aside wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelopeformed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsiblecompartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber andincluding a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge or" which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a gusset of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending substantially between oppositely disposedportions of said side sheet to subdivide said compartment into cells,and cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantityfilling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby assaid cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retainedwithin said cells, and valve means attached to said outer envelope incommunication with said compartment and operable to permit air to bedrawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed andto permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expandsafter pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumessubstantially its original shape.

3. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including atop wall, a bottom wall and aside wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelopeformed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsiblecompartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber andincluding a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially :free to float within said chamber, a gusset of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending substantially between oppositely disposedportions of said side sheet to subdivide said compartment into cells,cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity fillingsaid inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as saidcushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retainedwithin said cells, and valve means attached to said outer envelope incommunication with said compartment when said filler material iscompressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as saidfiller material expands after pressure has been released therefromwhereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

4. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom Wall whereby said bottom wall is common.to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber whereby as said cushionis compressed and expanded said filler material is retained within saidcells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material,cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantity fillingsaid inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion, a plurality ofspaced gussets of flexible material formed within said inner envelopebetween said top sheet and bottom wall and extending substantiallybetween oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet whereby saidcompartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, and valve meansattached to said outer envelope in communication with said compartmentand operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when saidfiller material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into saidcompartment as said filler expands after pressure has been releasedtherefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

5. An inflatable cushion in accordance with claim 4 wherein a pluralityof valve means are attached to said outer envelope in communication withsaid compartment, each of said valve means being in communication withone of said cells.

6. An inflatable cushion in accordance with claim 4 wherein said gussetsare provided with spaced vent holes in order to provide for free flow ofair between said cells and said valve means.

7. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous sidewall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side Wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom Wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussetsformed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extendingsubstantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet,said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together atthe edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets beingjoined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope wherebysaid compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, and cellularfiller material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said innerenvelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion iscompressed and expanded said filler material is retained within saidcells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, andvalve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with saidcompartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartmentwhen said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawninto said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has beenreleased therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially itsoriginal shape.

8. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerinvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussetsformed within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extendingsubstantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet,said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together atthe edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets beingjoined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope wherebysaid compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, cellularfiller material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said innerenvelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion iscompressed and expanded said filler material is retained within saidcells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, andvalve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with saidcompartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartmentwhen said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawninto said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has beenreleased therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially itsoriginal shape.

9. A self-inflatable cushion comprising a sealed outer block envelope offlexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a plurality of gussetsformed Within said inner envelope at spaced intervals and extendingsubstantially between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheet,said gussets including sheets of flexible material joined together atthe edges thereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets beingjoined to said top sheet and bottom wall of said inner envelope wherebysaid compartment is subdivided into a plurality of cells, cellularfiller material disposed in said cells in a quantity filling said innerenvelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion iscompressed and expanded said filler material is retained within saidcells to maintain a uniform distribution of said filler material, andvalve means attached to said outer envelope in communication with saidcompartment and operable to permit air to be drawn from said compartmentwhen said filler material is compressed and to permit air to be drawninto said compartment as said filler expands after pressure has beenreleased therefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially itsoriginal shape, each of said gussets being provided with spaced ventholes whereby air may flow between said cells and said valve means.

10. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelopeof flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and aside wall connected to the top and bottom walls, an inner block envelopeformed within said outer envelope and defining a collapsiblecompartment, said inner envelope substantially filling said chamber andincluding a top sheet and a side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length ofsaid mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheetwhereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantiallyuniform vaults, cellular filler material disposed in said vaults in aquantity filling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushionwhereby as said cushion is compressed and expanded said filler materialis retained within said vaults, and valve means attached to said outerenvelope in communication with said compartment and operable to permitair to be drawn from said compartment when said filler material iscompressed and to permit air to be drawn into said compartment as saidfiller expands after pressure has been released therefrom whereby saidcushion assumes substantially its original shape.

11. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelopeof flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed Withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length ofsaid mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheetwhereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantiallyuniform vaults, a plurality of spaced gussets of flexible materialformed within said inner envelope between said top sheet and bottom walland extending transversely substantially between said rib and said sidesheet in each of said vaults whereby said vaults are subdividedtransversely into a plurality of cells, cellular filler materialdisposed in said cells in a quantity filling said inner envelope toprovide a compressible cushion whereby as said cushion is compressed andexpanded said filler material is retained within said cells to maintaina uniform distribution of said filler material, and valve means attachedto said outer envelope in communication with said compartment andoperable to permit air to be drawn from said compartment when saidfiller material is compressed and to permit air to be drawn into saidcompartment as said filler expands after pressure has been releasedtherefrom whereby said cushion assumes substantially its original shape.

12. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelopeof flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is 10 joined to the junctionof said side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall iscommon to said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstan tially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length ofsaid mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheetwhereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantiallyuniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelopeat spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially betweensaid rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussetsincluding sheets of flexible material joined together at the edgesthereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined tosaid top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelopewhereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality ofcells, and cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantityfilling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby assaid cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retainedwithin said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said fillermaterial, and valve means attached to said outer envelope incommunication with said compartment and operable to permit air to bedrawn from said compare ment when said filler material is compressed andto permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expandsafter pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumessubstantially its original shape.

13. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelopeof flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float Within said chamber, a rib of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length ofsaid mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheetwhereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantiallyuniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed Within said inner envelopeat spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially betweensaid rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussetsincluding sheets of flexible material joined together at the edgesthereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined tosaid top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelopewhereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality ofcells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantityfilling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby assaid cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retainedwithin said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said fillermaterial, and valve means attached to said outer envelope incommunication with said compartment and operable to permit air to bedrawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed andto permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expandsafter pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumessubstantially its original shape.

14. A self-inflatable mattress comprising a sealed outer block envelopeof flexible material defining an airtight and watertight collapsiblechamber, said outer envelope including a top wall, a bottom wall and asubstantially continuous side wall, welded seams joining said top andbottom walls to said side wall, an inner block envelope formed withinsaid outer envelope and defining a collapsible compartment, said innerenvelope substantially filling said chamber and including a .top sheetand a substantially continuous side sheet one edge of which is joined tosaid top sheet and the other edge of which is joined to the junction ofsaid side wall and said bottom wall whereby said bottom wall is commonto said inner and outer envelopes and said inner envelope issubstantially free to float within said chamber, a rib of flexiblematerial formed within said inner envelope between said top sheet andbottom wall and extending longitudinally substantially the length ofsaid mattress between oppositely disposed portions of said side sheetwhereby said compartment is subdivided longitudinally into substantiallyuniform vaults, a plurality of gussets formed within said inner envelopeat spaced intervals and extending transversely substantially betweensaid rib and said side sheet in each of said vaults, said gussetsincluding sheets of flexible material joined together at the edgesthereof to define pockets therebetween, said gussets being joined tosaid top sheet, bottom wall and side sheet of said inner envelopewhereby said vaults are subdivided transversely into a plurality ofcells, cellular filler material disposed in said cells in a quantityfilling said inner envelope to provide a compressible cushion whereby assaid cushion is compressed and expanded said filler material is retainedwithin said cells to maintain a uniform distribution of said fillermaterial, and valve means attached to said outer envelope incommunication with said compartment and operable to permit air to bedrawn from said compartment when said filler material is compressed andto permit air to be drawn into said compartment as said filler expandsafter pressure has been released therefrom whereby said cushion assumessubstantially its original shape, each of said gussets being providedwith spaced vent holes whereby air may flow between said cells and saidvalve means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS585,834 Ruth July 6, 1897 1,864,648 Haines June 28, 1932 1,985,432Tucker et al Dec. 25, 1934 2,741,780 Kimbrig Apr. 17, 1956 2,803,023Rosenberg et al Aug. 20, 1957

